Benavidez TKOs Angulo in the Main Event of a ‘Showtime’ Tripleheader

SHOWTIME Boxing returned to Connecticut’s Mohegan Sun Casino tonight for a five-fight card with no fans in attendance. The main go of the TV tripleheader was a battle for the vacant WBC 168-pound title between David Benavidez and Roamer Alexis Angulo, a match originally scheduled for April 18. But when Benavidez turned up almost three pounds overweight, the title was on the line for only Angulo.

Benavidez, who had too much class for Angulo — and who just may be the best 168-pound boxer on the planet (yes, including Canelo) – won every round before Angulo’s corner mercifully stopped the one-sided beatdown at the conclusion of the 10^th frame.

David Benavidez now finds himself in the odd position of being an undefeated, two-time world title-holder who currently doesn’t own a belt.

The 23-year-old Benavidez, who made his pro debut in Mexico at age 16, improved to 23-0 with his 20^th knockout. Angulo declined to 26-2. The 36-year-old Miami-based Colombian had won three straight since losing a one-sided decision to Gilberto Ramirez in June of 2018.

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In the co-feature, 24-year-old North Las Vegas lightweight Roland “Rollie” Romero won a superfluous WBA interim belt with a 12-round unanimous decision over Jackson Marinez of the Dominican Republic. Romero was clearly ahead after six frames, but in the eyes of many TV viewers Marinez did well enough over the second half of the fight to merit the decision. The scores were 115-113, 116-112, and a head-scratching 118-110 from Connecticut judge Frank Lombardi.

Romero, who improved to 12-0, is the son of a man who was a noted amateur boxer in Cuba. He represents Mayweather Promotions which is off to a great start in Showtime’s summer/fall boxing series. Mayweather product Angelo Leo won the vacant WBO 122-pound title last week. It was the first pro loss for Marinez (19-1) who trains in California but was making only his second pro start on U.S. soil.

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The TV opener was an intriguing heavyweight contest between recovered COVID-19 victims Otto Wallin and Travis Kauffman. Wallin, the Swedish southpaw best known for throwing a scare into Tyson Fury, scored a fifth-round stoppage after Kauffman re-injured his surgically repaired left shoulder, leaving him largely defenseless and forcing the referee to step in.

Wallin, who trains in New York under former two-division title-holder Joey Gamache, was ahead on the scorecards through the completed frames and looked far fresher. Kauffman, born and raised in Reading, PA, the son of gym operator/matchmaker/promoter Marshall Kauffman, lost for the fourth time in 36 pro starts. He vowed to retire if he lost this fight and hopefully will keep his word. He’s been in with some tough hombres in some grueling fights and at age 34 has scant chance of getting back in the world title hunt. Wallin, 29, improved to 21-1 (14)

Photo credit: Amanda Westcott / SHOWTIME

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